Lionel and Alexis met Ben, Stephanie, and Matthew at the docks of the Los Angeles harbor, and the group set off for the cities of gold. Ben and Stephanie discovered that they each have a bracelet with the power to open up the doors to the cities of gold.

HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW...

A couple of days or so after the little ship left the Los Angeles harbor, Stephanie sat in her cabin texting her sister, Elizabeth, who was fourteen, three years younger than Stephanie. "Hi, sis," Stephanie texted. "What's up? How r u doing?"

"I'm fine, thanks. How r u?" Elizabeth texted back.

"Not too bad, thanks. Still en route to the cities. We're stopping at the Dana Point Harbor today so we can take a bus to the SJC mission," Stephanie responded.

"Are you having fun?" Elizabeth asked.

"Yeah, the trip's been a blast. I sure miss you, Mom, and Dad, though. What's new with you since I saw you a few days ago?" Stephanie asked.

"Mom and Dad are still doing the same thing. Mom is still selling Avon, and Dad's still working the night shift as a doctor. You know, the ordinary stuff...except for the new zit on my nose."

Stephanie giggled a little. "Welcome to your second year as a teen. I still have the same problem. Mom and Dad tell us we won't keep getting zits forever, so I guess all we can do is hang in there."

Elizabeth laughed when she read Stephanie's text.

Ben and Matthew stood at Stephanie's cabin door, and Ben studied her profile. "She's so incredibly gorgeous," he whispered to Matthew. "Watch me make yet another move."

"Good luck," Matthew said. "It's already been a couple of days and she still thinks you're a dweeb."

Ben chuckled a little. "Well, I have a whole year to change her mind."

"Then you should follow my advice and change the kind of clothes you wear," Matthew said with a smirk. "To her, and to most people, clothes make the man."

Ben shook his head. "Matthew, Matthew, Matthew, once she sees there's more to me than just my clothes, she'll change her mind. Believe me." He walked over to Stephanie and tapped her on the shoulder. "Hey, Steph, what's up?" he asked.

Stephanie looked up. "Oh, hey, Ben. I'm just texting my sister, Elizabeth. She's my best friend." She sighed. "Gosh, I miss her. Being away from home is so hard. But at least I have made some really good friends here on this ship so far. You're all great friends."

Ben put his arm around her. "You know, I can be more than a friend, Stephanie," he said.

"In your dreams," Stephanie said, gently pushing his arm off of her shoulders.

Ben grinned. "I'll dream about it tonight. We just came by to tell you Lionel and Alexis want us all out on the deck. We're getting ready to dock, and then it's off to the mission."

Stephanie said goodbye to Elizabeth and followed the boys outside. They docked at Dana Point Harbor and took a bus to the San Juan Capistrano mission, where Lionel and Alexis gave them a tour and explained how missionaries from Europe had come to America and the names of all of them. They also visited a souvenir shop, where the kids each bought something. They had lunch and remembered to thank Jesus for their meal before they ate. Some pigeons flew around their table, and the group decided to feed them.

At the end of the day, everyone agreed that it was a very interesting, educational, and fun day.

"I never thought field trips could be so much fun! Usually I've gotten very boring guides who put me to sleep," Matthew said.

"If you think your guides were boring, you've never been in a classroom with my history teacher. He practically puts all of us in a coma!" Ben exclaimed.

Lionel and Alexis smiled. "And today was only the beginning of the educational fun and excitement," Alexis told them.

"That's right," Lionel agreed. "We've still got a whole year of fun and adventure beyond your wildest imagination. We're so glad you kids get to be a part of it."

"Us, too," Stephanie said.

That night in the cabin, Stephanie texted Elizabeth again. "Hey, Elizabeth, how r u? The trip to the SJC mission was so incredible! I loved every minute of it! I can't wait till we actually get to the cities of gold! Good night, sis, and God Bless! I will text you again soon! Luv u! Love, Steph."

TO FOLLOW...

The next day a major storm hits the ocean. While she is taking the rope up to the top of the small ship to Lionel so he can tie it to the nearest dock, Stephanie is hit by a gust of wind and falls into the ocean. Will the group rescue her in time? Make sure you don't miss the next episode of THE MYSTERIOUS CITIES OF GOLD REVISITED.

If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be! TRUST JESUS NOW

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